The Ministry of Education has assessed and verified more than 20,000 primary schools to host Grade 7 learners.

Education CS Ezekiel Machogu said the schools were assessed based on enrollment.

“Those who have not qualified are few because our major criteria was enrollment, number of students as they transition,” Machogu said.

He added that schools that did not qualify will act as junior secondary feeder schools.

Feeder schools refer to primary schools that lack the enrolment and infrastructural capacity to domicile a JSS.

Alternatively, affirmative action will be used to ensure a 100 per cent transition from senior primary to junior secondary.

"In high-density areas and urban informal settlements primary schools with an enrolment of less than 45 learners, or those lacking the basic facilities to host JSS, will serve as feeder schools to other JSSs within two kilometres," the guidelines read.

The ministry further said in geographically expansive, low-density and insecure areas, there will be affirmative action.

"As well as for learners with special needs and disabilities, the government will implement affirmative action (as appropriate), regardless of the enrolments."